Can I get there from here? Network nostalgia, nature, and navigation

Abstract

Computer networks are generally distinguished from decentralized access systems (for instance, early airlines reservations systems) by the type of equipment on the communication line or connection. In computer networks, messages or information is passed from one host machine to another machine or terminal along the network. In a decentralized access system, users in different locations are, in actuality, accessing only one centralized host machine. Almost from the introduction of second-generation timesharing computing equipment in the early 60's, it became apparent that the easy transfer of information between computers would be advantageous. To this end, research into the subject of computer networks began in the late 1960's funded by the U.S. Department of Defense through its Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. Since the implementation of the first network developed by this agency, tagged ARPANET, computer networking and its implications have had and will continue to have a profound effect on society. You need only watch a few television commercials that introduce you to home computers connected to various networking services such as computerized bill payment, stock market reporting and the like to be convinced of the important role this relatively new technology will play in our lives.